More from Football

Coppell gives up on Powell move

By Simon Fudge

Reading boss Steve Coppell has all but given up hope of landing Crystal Palace defender Darren Powell.

The Royals manager believes the situation has changed after the 28-year-old helped The Eagles win promotion to The Premiership in last month's play-offs.

With Steve Brown a doubt for next season with a knee injury, Powell nearly came to The Madejski Stadium as cover in March after both clubs had agreed a transfer fee for the player.

The move collapsed, however, when Powell failed his medical after spending most of the campaign recovering from a hamstring problem.

Powell then went on to score a famous last-gasp equaliser against Sunderland in the second leg of their semi-final tie before Palace won on penalties and then went on to defeat West Ham United in the final in Cardiff.

With Iain Dowie's side in the top-flight next season, Coppell has set his sights elsewhere for a possible Premiership player on loan while reports suggest that he may also look to Luton Town centre back Emmerson Boyce.